"Is Mr Richardson taking hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in salaries to go out there and bag the Labor Party and the Labor government every day? Probably. In fact, definitely."

Downfall

Mr Rudd also took the opportunity to slam Labor's factional bosses who he has always blamed for his downfall.

"Is Mr Richardson doing as he's always done in the past and acting as some sort of unofficial spokesman for the factional bullies in our party who try to control it from time to time? Undoubtedly."

He said Mr Richardson's observations about him in the newspaper column are "water off a duck's back".

Mr Rudd has been active in travelling to various electorates since he recovered from a heart valve operation in August - he was in Justine Elliot's electorate of Richmond on New South Wales north coast on Friday.

Asked if the visit was part of a leadership campaign, Mr Rudd said Ms Elliot had been inviting him to the electorate for a long time - and it was not far to travel from Brisbane.

"What I've been doing for the last week with many of our local members across the country is explaining what we are doing in the aid portfolio, given that many, many Australians are deeply concerned about what's happening in the Horn of Africa."

Comments (138)

ABC (Moderator):

Adam:

07 Oct 2011 3:39:11pm

Sort of. Richo isn't really a labor loyalist anymore so I think he's right on that point. But Richo is dead right Rudd is working to destabilise Gillard, that much is obvious. Rudd's just upset that Richo's publicly named his numbers men.

Chris:

Roj:

07 Oct 2011 4:41:25pm

As if anyone could do anymore to destabilise her more than she is doing to herself? Does anyone take her seriously at all? And could anyone blame Rudd? Perhaps these questions should be directed to Gillards number one advisor- Corinne Grant.

Earl Grey:

07 Oct 2011 4:44:46pm

Agreed. Rudd is definitely after the PM job and the style of the comments he's made recently shows he's exactly the same person he was when he got sacked. He's learnt nothing. If he gets the top job again, the ALP MUST go to the polls immediately before it becomes obvious that Rudd is just as hopeless as he was before.

hertie:

Sharon:

07 Oct 2011 3:54:07pm

Mr Rudd is absolutely right in putting "Richo" back in his box. The former ALP minister is not doing the party any favours by stirring leadership speculation at a time when the PM needs all the support she can get.

Matthew:

Daniel:

07 Oct 2011 4:41:50pm

I believe Richo is trying to hard to be involved with the development of the ALP by using the media as a tool to manipulate its direction. He has been able to secretly control the party's direction in the past and once again he is trying the same. I think he is on the brink of destroying his own historically creditable political reputation in the media by continuing this negative approach against his old party.

Can someone please confirm the strong new rumour from Canberra, that Turnbull is making a challenge against Abbott? It is believed that there are powerbrokers in the Liberal Party not happy with the "No" campaign in opposition particularly in relation to going against the party's own policies and current beliefs. Apparently Turnbull was disappointed with the no show at the tax forum the other day.

Lewis of The Hills:

07 Oct 2011 6:29:39pm

Kevin's comments are BS as they have always been. Richo on the other hand is just making hay while the sun shines. The best game in political commentary land at the moment is speculating on the toppling of Gillard as Labor leader. It is pretty much a gimme. Posters here should stop thinking of Richo as a senior ALP figure and remember that he is now a political commentator in the media.

jaycee:

07 Oct 2011 3:36:23pm

I said it before and I'll say it again : If "Richo" hadn't been picked up by the labor Party and given a career in politics, he could've been spotted on Redfern station, carpet-bag in one hand and a one-way ticket to the Silver City in the other!

Ford:

07 Oct 2011 3:37:55pm

Who was Richardson exactly, an ex-MP?Ex-union boss?Former powerbroker seems to just be a bit of a meaningless buzz word.He seems to fall into the Ellis category of people who jibber jabber lots but have never actually done or achieved anything of note?

Stuffed Olive:

07 Oct 2011 4:10:41pm

He began in the offices of the Labor Party organisation and 'worked' his way up to General Secretary. I never liked his style or thought he was good at anything. Bit of the Peter Principle unfortunately and the conniving bastard got away with a lot. Then was further rewarded with a seat in parliament. If he was on fire, I wouldn't cross the road to .... on him.

rudi:

Ravensclaw:

07 Oct 2011 3:41:47pm

Of course Mr Rudd is angry at Mr Richardson.

The primeministership is still a poison chalice thanks to the carbon tax being inflicted on Australia despite the promise to the community and mandate from the community that there should be no such thing.

If Rudd is going to come back as leader it will have to be just before an election for him to get any traction. Much of the public's lack of confidence in the Federal Labor Govt is thanks as much to Mr Rudd's abysmal leadership as Ms Gillard's.

Kevin Rudd is of course being a happy vegemite being PM errr... Foreign Minister.

LaSignora:

Stevo:

07 Oct 2011 4:51:41pm

Couldn't agree more. Richo's no.1 priority is Richo. Unlike other ex-Labor people, he hasn't had a constructive thing to say - ever. He's seen that there's a crap-load of money to be made simply by bagging Labor, so he bags away and pockets the earnings.

Fred:

07 Oct 2011 5:35:18pm

You're right. He is dirty with Labour because he did not get an ambassador's job or a department commissioner's job or any other highly paid government appointment like the rest of his ex-Labour collegues.

Ms H:

07 Oct 2011 3:42:04pm

I'd trust Rudd over Richo ANY day. Richo - who was associated with Renee Rivkin, and who famously said one should do 'whatever it takes' to obtain power, is not someone I consider trustworthy. He might be 'savvy' but does he have the interests of ordinary people at heart?

Merv:

07 Oct 2011 3:43:31pm

I agree with Kev, think it takes one to know one, but Richardson really lacks all credibility and on screen persona is that of a Gus Gould - self important, self titled, self centred, self righteous look at me, look at me, I am Richo everyone will want to know what i think and the more sensational i make it the more channel 9 will pay me. Absolute tripe comes from this idiots mouth and Nine should get rid of him today to minimise the damage it is suffering and avoid a future train wreck that is currently waiting to happen.

conservative:

rossta:

07 Oct 2011 5:25:30pm

Yeah well... you've got a point re Kev's leadership style - I hope he's learned a thing or two, but I'm not holding my breath there. However 'twould be great to see him resurface with a blistering attack on the fool Abbott - if Turnbull was Lib leader we'd have a return (?) to some semblence of intelligent political debate in this country - we deserve better than this current mess ( or do we ? ).

TDG:

07 Oct 2011 3:45:11pm

Can the Labor party please re-instate Gough Whitlam at PM?

Seriously, I voted for Rudd. Labor replaced him. It didn't work out. Labour is putting him back. Can the puppet masters please reveal themselves or do we have to just keep watching this slow motion party train wreck?

ellicat:

It seems obvious from his comments that he does not yet have the numbers and does not ever expect to get them. What better way to let off some of the repressed aggression than to have a stab at Richo.

The style of asking himself a question and then answering it is a good reminder of what a troublesome politician he is/was. Although that style is preferred over Gillard's failure to answer any question. She rather just recites what the standard line is over and over even when it doesn't fit the question. Very annoying, but now somehow quite amusing .

Funnyserious:

07 Oct 2011 3:46:18pm

Does it really matter, the ALP is self destructing. Did I read somewhere that if an election had been held in the last few weeks Kevin Rudd would be the only front bencher to hold his seat. Maybe he likes the thought of being the leader of the opposition.

J.G. Cole:

07 Oct 2011 3:46:18pm

Richardson is the very worst of traitors - unprincipled, juvenile and cowardly.He forgave neither Hawke nor Keating for their accurate assessment of both his Machiavellian personality and dubious capabilities.

Big M:

JOD:

07 Oct 2011 3:48:59pm

Most definitely- Kevin Rudd is a very intelligent & articulate speaker & he is quite right here in this statement.

G. Richardson is a big mouth & usually always causes trouble when he opens it. He is a backstabber!He should go & have a good hard look at himself & grow some loyalty genes. Or is he being paid by "SOMEONE ELSE" behind the scenes!!!!!!!!!!!!

lauriesienna:

susie ball:

07 Oct 2011 3:49:15pm

I can see the demise of Graham Richardson. It has been obvious for awhile now ...with him popping up all over the place.What does happen emotionally to these guys ? They start to think that people actually enjoy listening to them. The media outlets encourage them to come on a show one after the other , write another column , say something else etc ...and then their ego's become so inflated that they stop talking intelligently and start to babble.Is it because the babbling gets more attention?

A Little Cynical:

07 Oct 2011 3:52:49pm

I'd suggest there's a little bit of a and a little bit of b. Richo always like a little bit of publicity, but I'm not convinced Kevin '11 wouldn't mind another go... maybe the ALP would stand half a chance @ the next election.

Gollygosh:

Bren:

07 Oct 2011 3:58:57pm

I think Rudds comments re richardson are fair and reasonable. You cannot stay in any form of media if you don't report something and Richardson is not alone. It seems all Canberra across radio, print [News and Fairfax] and tv thinks something is on. Say it often and long enough and eventually they have to be right.All aside, despite Rudd's comments none of it means there is not a plot afoot to remove Gillard. I would ask Paul Howes or any other faceless man though, they make all the important decisions in the ALP. Not some ex politician.

AK:

07 Oct 2011 4:00:48pm

I am happy to stand corrected, but to my way of thinking Mr Richardson's observations tend to be right much more frequently than they are wrong. That should be the greater concern for the Labor Party, and perhaps why everyone is trying to talk him down.

mark:

Paul:

07 Oct 2011 4:02:19pm

yes but only if he is 100% correct - nobody is convinced. Should have maintained the policy of ignoring such comments which cannot be proven instead of taking the bait and im sure Julia is currently laying the law down on this issue (or should be)

Tom:

Tribune:

07 Oct 2011 4:06:06pm

Richardson is a pretty odious character anyway and any bagging of him is probably pretty fair - given his position in the ALP and his constant quite treacherous destablising of it, its probably fair for someone with political relevance such as Rudd give someone with none such as Richardson a serve such as this -which looks right on the money to me.

Daryl:

Rachel:

07 Oct 2011 4:06:33pm

Relevance deprivation sydnrome? Absolutely! To suggest that Alan Griffin and Mark Bishop are ALP powerbrokers is an absolute joke. Neither of them could muster enough support to host a round of drinks at the Holy Grail let alone a leadership coup. C'mon Graham, you've got to come up with something more believable than that!

Rutt:

Stuart:

07 Oct 2011 4:08:42pm

Yes!

This whole 'leadership' issue has been a beat up right from the start - with commentators like Richardson trying to up their own profile and fill their columns or talk shows without having to give serious thought to the real issues of the moment.

They would actually be of service to the political debate if they looked at issues such as the problems of climate change, the ever increasing gap in income between the wealthy few and the growing number of poor and the underinvestment in essential public services especially our hospitals.

angela:

07 Oct 2011 4:12:23pm

Not only are the comments by Kevin Rudd fair they are accurate. Richardson represented all that was ugly in politics and now all that is ugly outside of politics. Ex-politicians should not even be seen let along heard. They have had their time and should get over themselves and GO AWAY.

Kerry Cambridge:

Trevor C:

07 Oct 2011 4:17:25pm

Never mind the blame game and who said what and when. Labor is finished as a political party no matter who is leading it next election. The Labor brand has been so damaged by Gillard Rudd and Co. that nobody will vote them back in. Tony Abbott will only have to turn up to win.

Braz:

scott yates:

07 Oct 2011 4:21:49pm

Kevin Rudd was the greatest male Prime Minister Of Australia of all time. He knows everything about everything and everyone.Julia Gillard is the greatest female Australian Prime Minister of all time.Graham Richardson is Labor's greatest ever mass media critic and hater! He is the Coalition's greatest ever mass media supporter!Labor will win the next Australian federal election on September 8 2013 extremely easily.

MD:

07 Oct 2011 4:25:13pm

It's apparently asking too much for former politicians to just shut up & go away & for the media to stop asking them questions on political issues. In the same context, a pox on all media outlets that have both former & existing politicians provide a column or comment. No wonder many people in Australia are jaded when it comes to politics!

Alpo:

07 Oct 2011 4:25:35pm

Kevin Rudd has just delivered a masterclass of how to do politics in shark-infested waters. Good on you Foreign Affairs Minister, keep that unity of purpose in the Government of Australia. That's what the people demand. You are an important part of the team and just ignore the Richo sardine. He is busy enjoying the flecks of fish food that his masters throw from time to time into the tank.

scott yates:

07 Oct 2011 4:26:52pm

Graham Richarson should enter federal parliament at the next federal election as a successful Lower House candidate for the Liberal Party or the National Party.Graham Richardson should then become the federal Liberal Leader and become the next Liberal Party Coalition Prime Minister in 2020 when 2020 vision will be needed!

Zombie James:

07 Oct 2011 4:27:22pm

I'd think it's more likely that the disloyalty is coming from the Right. Richo will be undermining Rudd on behalf of his old mates, who are concerned that he remains so much more popular than either Gillard or Abbott. The ALP are in a position where they sold their souls and now find the devil didn't even come through on his end of the deal. Serves them right.

John of WA:

Rhubarb:

No:

07 Oct 2011 4:28:47pm

No it is not fair. after all last time I looked we were a free democratic country and if Richo wants to spruik on let him do so, it's his right. He has possibly hit a nerve with what he has said, I say possibly and Kevin07 should have by now learned to keep his mouth shut, best for all and sundry!

Brian62:

07 Oct 2011 4:30:46pm

Absolutely agree with Kevin Rudd's assessment of Richardson,Graham Richardson has a long and questionable habit of aligning himself with those that can improve his personal ambitions both monetary and megalomanic,he is a past master of whatever it takes for the highest price on offer,he stands condemned by his own treacherous availability of opinion.

Huck:

07 Oct 2011 4:31:44pm

I am tipping that they are both being a little dishonest in this matter. Rudd is waiting in the wings and Richo's attack is a pre-emptive strike to help his gal, Julia, who is sinking her self-styled, murky quicksand. Good on Rudd though if he is!

steve:

Dick P of Brisbane:

07 Oct 2011 4:42:26pm

Rudd always was good at dishing out critism but not at receiving it. He is so self-opinionated that many of his ALP mates wish he would go away and stop destabilising the system that is currently shakey at the best. Richo knows what he is talking about and is only stating the obvious.

JAS:

07 Oct 2011 4:50:41pm

talk about pot calling kettle................. - it's KRudd who has "relevance deprivation syndrome" - and we won't hear the end of either of them until an election is called and we can rid the country of these pumped up nasty egos - if KRudd was to get back in, then I believe there would be a mutiny within the Public Service in Canberra as he was a despot/dictator to work for - a leopard NEVER changes it's spots !!!! - as a very well known actor once said 'tell 'em he's dreamin'.

Graeme:

Rhys:

07 Oct 2011 4:51:59pm

I think all politicians suffer relevance deprivation syndrome from time to time. Nature of the beast really.

But Graham Richardson does seem to have turned it into an art form, and lost most of his credibility in the meantime. The only ones who take him seriously these days is the LNP - and only because of the free political mileage he gives them!!

End of the day, I think Richo espouses much of what is wrong with Australian News Media these days. If all journalists cared about was facts and "the truth", Richo would have been begging for a real job years ago.

Robert:

Catey:

07 Oct 2011 4:55:26pm

Graeme Richardson comes across to me as morally bankrupt. He receives big bucks for nothing other than malicious gossip. I support Julia Gillard and believe Kevin Rudd did the right thing in calling Graeme Richardson's measure.

Coco:

07 Oct 2011 4:57:16pm

Richardson is as destructive as Abbott. You would think that his Labor background would cause him to help tha party - not try to destabilise it any further. Richardson, like Abbott is like the schoolkid who is always at the centre of any trouble but when collared, shrugs his shoulders and saya: "Who me sir?" "No sir!"

Mike:

07 Oct 2011 4:58:48pm

I suppose I better get use to it again ie; a person asking and answering his own questions. Especially as Rudd thinks that he is so intelligent and has convinced himself that he will try to make a come back. So let me start.

Are comments in this blog indicative of Australian intentions? No!Are the majority of people who visit this website - and comment - ALP/Greens supporters? Yes!Do right wing political views get a hearing on this website? No!

Is Rudd trying to get the numbers to oust Gillard? Absolutely!Will it make a difference when we go to the polls (with Rudd as leader)? No!What are the chances that this will be published? Faint!

JIM GARDINER:

GocomSys:

07 Oct 2011 5:09:32pm

I thought the prerogative to destabilise the government was up to Limited News and Associates.Why the ABC? Leadership speculations even came up in the atrocious Tony Jones Lateline interview of Rob Oakeshott.

Babsie :

07 Oct 2011 5:12:35pm

Yes , even coming from Rudd , Graham Richardson has become a mouth piece for the Murdoch News you would never think he was once a Labor Man maybe sour grapes he didn't aspire to PM , not that Kevin Rudd is any better i hope he doesn't get the numbers and he goes away quietly in retirement

Peter:

Frank:

07 Oct 2011 5:12:50pm

Not really interested in their little tit for tat spat.But don't be fooled, Rudd is electionering around the country seats.Is it for his promotion or a federal election or both? There aren't any other choices.

TQ:

Anticleon:

07 Oct 2011 5:24:36pm

Rudd is right. What an amazing claim, though, that Mr Richardson, has been "doing as he's always done in the past and acting as some sort of unofficial spokesman for the factional bullies in our party who try to control it from time to time.."

Peter Walsh said that Richarson held "a basically amoral view of politics".

This makes him a valuable commentator - he can accuse Kevin Rudd of having experience in undermining leaders because he is a man with some experience in that department. Ask Bill Hayden.

When the time comes to write the epitaph for the Labor Party one word will suffice: RICHO.

Walter:

07 Oct 2011 5:30:10pm

Rudd destabilising Gillard? Who cares. Its the deceased seeking vengeance over the walking dead. Good riddance to them both. Spin merchants extraordinaire. Bureaucrat versus labour lawyer. Neither have ever started or run a business. Neither have business acumen. Neither have the mature wisdom to know what to do, how to do it and when. Well intentioned that they may be in part, but sadly that is not enough to lead a nation.

Harry G:

07 Oct 2011 5:50:39pm

Actually, Richo was a good minister, and from my memory, his most famous quote was "whatever it takes" - in other words, the end justifies the means. He was, nor is he now, a man of principle. It does appear he has surrendered the highest and probably the only bidder. I presume that because he used to be a Labor man, and now criticises Labor, his listeners are supposed to believe that there is something wrong with Labor policy.

Alex Read:

07 Oct 2011 5:52:53pm

This constant leadership speculation is a joke. Who's said that there is instability? Some guy who hasn't been in parliament for seventeen years and the entire Coalition. When has someone in the Labor party (who is actually in the parliament or the current administrative body of the party) ever actually suggested that Kevin Rudd is coming back? And don't give us this "Rudd said the word prime instead of foreign, which pretty much gives the game away" nonsense. I seem to recall Harry Jenkins actually referring to Abbott as prime minister in parliament at one point last year. I don't recall an ABC online poll then asking us if this was his subconscious giving away his secret yearning for Abbott pm.

Move on, people, Gillard ain't going anywhere for at least a year and a half!

Queensland JAK:

dom:

07 Oct 2011 6:02:51pm

Richo has certainly never had any interest in democracy. He stuck with the NSW right and senate so that no-one ever had to vote for him, and did "whatever it takes" to be sure he had influence and a slush of money. Now he has no interest in journalism, and works for Sky.

bunyip:

07 Oct 2011 6:04:37pm

Graham Richardson retired from politics 10 years ago didn't he? So who wants to hear from him? He has got nothing to say, that's why he is paid for his opinions. If he had anything important to say the media would be clamouring for his attention, not paying him for his opinions.

yabby:

Luigi :

07 Oct 2011 6:26:48pm

I think the Kevin had the right to aspire for Prime Minister Position. Why not! Is part of politic and him had the capacity. Is nothing wrong to contact and keep in touch with other supporter. Power broker and member of the party had been always influential.At the end Kevin in my opinion had better capacity that Julia with had done a good job but had not be capable to win over the people.The realty is people look at short highlight and we have not enough information or time to read all so we go by human sympathy!For me Kevin is more appealing for leading because of his status and credential.

sven:

07 Oct 2011 6:28:27pm

Every time I see Mr Richardson on the screen, I wonder to myself when the next cardio-vascular event is going to take place. The impression is of a person who eats expensive rich foods and drinks only the best and connives and plots and lets things be known in on quarter derived from inference and conjecture in another. The heart attack likelihood impression is an enduring one. A faithless and deeply self serving individual without values. Smart, but not smart enough to care.

Hoolie:

07 Oct 2011 6:30:21pm

Richo's been paid his 30 pieces of silver by the Murdoch empire and is now a Conservative commentator doing the bidding of his master. He ceased having any credibility as a "Labor" man long ago. Richardson looks after Richardson and will say anything to be in the limelight.